After staying awake most of the night carefully discussing their plans, the two exhausted Uma Musume finally lay down beneath the covers—
Holding each other close.
But before drifting off completely, Gotham Song's curiosity got the better of her.
Clearly, Neo Universe held some especially intense feelings toward her. Yet in her previous life, Gotham Song had no memory of ever meeting this Uma Musume.
So, naturally, Gotham Song started to become curious about what had happened between "herself" and Neo Universe.
"What happened between Twilight Song and me…?"
Neo Universe repeated Gotham Song's question, but her voice shook as she hugged tightly the girl she'd lost countless times before.
She even started trembling slightly.
"C-can… can I not talk about it?"
Gotham Song was startled by Neo Universe's reaction. She immediately rubbed the other girl's back gently, not pressing any further.
Maybe something really terrible happened. Neo Universe might have endured countless painful losses… Ah, I really shouldn't push her like this.
At least, seeing Neo Universe in such a fragile state, Gotham Song couldn't bring herself to be harsh.
You'd have to be a total jerk to press further at a moment like this, right?
"Alright, we don't have to talk about it now. I'll wait for you, Neo Universe."
Wait until the day you're ready to tell me yourself.
Neo Universe timidly nodded, but then, as if suddenly remembering something important, whispered one final sentence before falling asleep.
"Song… even if you're taken back to Mejiro Manor, don't give up. We'll come rescue you."
What does she mean?
If I'm taken to Mejiro Manor, don't give up… you'll come rescue me?
Putting aside who exactly this mysterious "we" might be, if Neo Universe had never completely succeeded before, didn't that mean—
In many parallel worlds, Gotham Song had been taken to Mejiro Manor, rescued, and then taken again…?
Was something like that actually a common occurrence?
As soon as she reached this frightening conclusion, Gotham Song's vision went black, and she fainted from the sheer shock.
She remained dazed until the next morning, when the sudden buzz of her phone jerked her awake.
Glancing at the screen, she saw Mejiro Ardan had sent the address and a message.
[Good morning, Song. Here's the address for tonight's meeting. Please don't force yourself—if anything makes you uncomfortable, you can always come talk to me. And don't forget to eat breakfast.]
She's too kind. I could cry.
As Gotham Song put down her phone, Neo Universe stirred awake as well, reluctantly untangling herself from Gotham's warm embrace.
Song's sleeping habits were the same in every world, huh? Wearing nothing but her underwear, leaving the rest completely exposed beneath the sheets.
In truth, Neo Universe was well aware that Gotham Song sometimes preferred to sleep completely naked.
But before either of them could exchange another word, a knock at the door interrupted their sleepy morning.
Gotham Song felt curious—normally, only Manhattan Cafe visited them regularly.
But Cafe never provided morning wake-up service.
Still half-asleep, Gotham Song threw on a loose jacket, just barely covering the top of her thighs, leaving it unzipped. She hugged the fabric close to her chest with both hands, making her way lazily toward the door.
"Is that you, Cafe-nee?"
When she opened the door, the face that peeked inside was—
Tokai Teio?!
"Morning, Song! I'm here to invite you for morning practice—eh?"
Tokai Teio hadn't finished speaking before she froze, staring blankly at Gotham Song's current state of undress.
And then…
Gotham Song clearly noticed Tokai Teio's ears starting to twitch faster and faster.
Hey, stop twitching your ears like a bubbling tea kettle—they're practically helicopter blades at this point!
"U-um… Song, should you maybe put some clothes on first?"
Gotham Song couldn't help but smile at Teio's adorable embarrassment. Nodding, she grabbed her uniform and hurried into the bathroom, closing the door behind her to change.
Left alone in the room, Tokai Teio inevitably found her gaze wandering.
Wow, the room's so neat—and it smells nice too… This must be Song's roommate, right? So that's Song's bed, then…
Wait. That was strange. Gotham Song had clearly just woken up, so why was the bed next to her roommate so neatly made?
Surely she wouldn't tidy up the bed wearing only her underwear, right?!
Tokai Teio's curiosity grew stronger, prompting her to turn hesitantly toward Gotham Song's roommate.
"Um… Neo Universe-san, right? Does Song usually tidy her bed dressed like…that?"
Tokai Teio pointed uncertainly toward the neatly made bed. After a brief silence, Neo Universe hugged the blanket tightly, meeting Tokai Teio's eyes directly as she responded calmly:
"No, that's my bed."
"Eh?"
Tokai Teio paused, her pupils trembling with confusion.
Wait—what did she just say? If that's Neo Universe's bed…then this one is Song's? Wait, hold on—there's definitely something very suspicious here!
In an instant, Tokai Teio realized a critical truth:
Did Gotham Song and Neo Universe actually share a bed at night, dressed only in such revealing clothes?!
No—absolutely not! That was entirely unacceptable!
Tokai Teio opened her mouth to loudly reprimand such indecent behavior—because…why exactly?
Because Song's someone Prez has expectations for! Yes, that must be it.
But before she could finish formulating her thoughts, Neo Universe hugged the blanket tighter, snuggling closer against the sheets in an undeniably provocative manner.
Tokai Teio was absolutely certain now—
Neo Universe was taunting her.
A completely undisguised, shameless provocation!
Though Teio couldn't quite grasp why exactly this action seemed so offensive, one thing was certain…
Tokai Teio was furious.
She didn't know why, but she had the overwhelming urge to snatch Gotham Song's blanket away and toss aside this brazen, indecent roommate.
Isn't the other bed perfectly good for you?!
But wait—why did she even want to do that? Didn't it seem almost like… jealousy?
Teio stood rooted to the spot, completely bewildered by her own emotions. Before she could recover, Gotham Song stepped out of the bathroom, fully dressed.
"Oh? Did you two get into a fight?"
A fight? Me and Neo Universe-san? No… No way, right?
"No, Song. We get along just fine. Really," Neo Universe replied calmly.
Looking over at Neo Universe, Gotham Song saw no trace of anger—only her roommate still affectionately rubbing her face against the sheets.
"In that case…Neo Universe, do you want to join me and Teio for morning practice?"
As Tokai Teio watched anxiously, Neo Universe shook her head in gentle refusal. However…
When Neo Universe rose from the bed, wearing exactly as little as Gotham Song had earlier, and casually moved forward to fix Gotham Song's collar with an intimate ease—
The young, undefeated genius Tokai Teio felt as if the entire world had collapsed around her.
Hey—aren't we supposed to be rivals?! And for Uma Musume, isn't your rival supposed to be your closest relationship?!
Unforgivable!